Adjustable frame cornice support



Feb m, 195% s. M. lsAAc ADJUSTABLE FRAME CORNICE SUPPORT Filed Nov. 22, 1955 30 43 l6 F15.5 m

INVENTOR.

SADIE M. ISAAC {and I ATTORNEYS ADJUSTABLE FRAME CORNICE SUPPORT Sadie M. Isaac, Bryan, Ohio Application November 22, 1955, Serial No. 548,507

2Claims. (Cl. 160-39) The present invention relates to-an adjustable frame cornice, completely adjustable in length and also in width.

It is conventional in the art to fabricate wooden cornicesand to fasten the wood cornice by. some suitable meansonthe framework of a window, door or the like. .lnsome instances these wood cornices are painted; In other instances the cornice is padded, then covered with drapery fabric. The fabric is. usually tacked on with small tacks. Usually it is quite difficult to pullout the tacks toremove thefabric for cleaning, and it is correspondingly. difficult to replace the fabric back on the cornice after. being cleaned. The Wood cornices are very heavy andbulky to install; also, a wood cornice that ismade for one particular window frame cannot be removed and used on another.

It is an object of this invention to provide a cornice support which is completely adjustable to fit any size of cornice panel.

It. is another object of this invention to provide a cornice support which is adjustable to maintain a fabric cornice-panel completely tight and in proper shape.

It is yet. another object of this invention to provide a cornice framewhich permits .easy removal or replacement of fabric covering.

Itisstill another object of this invention to provide a cornice which is completely adjustable to fit. any. average size window frame, small or large. That is, thiscornice can be made small to fit a small window, or, this same cornice can be enlargcdto fit on a much larger window frame.

Other objects will become apparent as the description proceeds.

Theimportant feature of. this corniceisthe adjustability in width or the fact: that this cornice can be narrowed or widened and the valance is always tightly fitted without the aid of other devices. The adjustable frame is fitted to the panel.

To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, my invention may be embodied in the forms illustrated inthe accompanying drawings, attention. being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that specific change, may be made in the specific constructions illustrated and described so long as the scope of the appended claims is not violated.

In the. drawings:

Fig 1 is a perspective illustration of one embodiment of this invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective illustration of the frame of Fig. 1 with a fabric cornice panel mounted thereon;

Fig. 3 is a cross-section taken substantially along line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Figs. 4 and 5 are enlargements of the locking devices of the frame of Fig. 1, Fig. 4 showing the locking device in operative position and Fig. 5 illustrating how the lock ing device is manipulated; and

Fig. 6 is an enlarged perspective illustration of the mounting bracket arrangement of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings, cornice support coin- MUM 2,823,743 Patented Feb. 18, 1958 prises two elongated parallel extending and spaced apart frame members or rods wand 12, respectively. Each frame member 10, 12 is composed of two metal flat bars 14, 16 which are fastened together in overlapping relation by means of suitable sleeves 18 and locking devices 20. The locking devices 20 are so constructed that the overlapping ends of the flattened bars 14' and 16' may be moved relative to each other for lengthening or shortening the respective frame members 10, 12. These locking devices 26 will be described in more detail hereafter. The opposite end portions 22' and 24 of the respective frame members ill and Here bent rearwardly as shown and also transversely inwardly toward the opposite frame member to provide overlapping end portions 26and' 28. These overlapping end portions 26and 28 are adjustably clamped together by means of the locking device 30 which may be identical in construction to locking device 2%. The assembly of these overlapping ends 26, 28 and the locking device 30 provide an end cross-bar for securing the frame members 10 and 12 in spaced apart relation. Preferably, an individual cross-bar 32 is positioned in the center portion of the framework 10, 12 to space the members 10 and 12 apart. This cross-bar 32 is composed of two overlapping bars or strips which are adjustably. clamped together by means of the locking-device 34 which preferably is identical to the locking devices 20 and 30. This cross-bar 32 may be omitted as will become apparent from the following description.

The locking devices 20, 30 and 34 are shown in more detail in Figs. 4 and 5. Considering only the lockingdevice 30, it comprises a sleeve 36 which is; fastened by some suitable means, such as welding, tothe end of the bar end 28 and slidably receives therethrough the bar end 26. A lock. frame 38- is provided with end flanges 40 and 42 which are apertured to receive slidably the respective bar ends 26 and 28 therethrough, as shown. The end43' of the bar 26 is bent'downwardly to'fit into a confining aperture in the lock frame 38.

A gripping element orfriction clamp 44 is provided with a clearance opening which receives the bar 28, the lower end of the clamp 44 being pivotally mounted on the lock frame 38' by means of a suitable tip 46 formed on the clamp 44 and a clearanceaperture in the frame 38.

A helical compression spring 48 surrounding the bar end 28 is confined between the clamp 44 and the end flange 42.

In operation, the cross-bar which includes the two bar ends 26 and 28 may be lengthened by merely pulling these two bars in opposite directions. This would mean that in Pig. 4 the bar end 28 would be moved toward the right and the bar end 26 would be moved toward. the left. When these bars are thus moved, the lock frame 38 will move with the bar end 26 by. reasonof the connection 43, whereas the sleeve 36 willmove toward the right with the bar end 28. The clamp 44 willypermitz this movement since the frictional contact betweenthe clamp and the bar end 28 is relievedby this movement, thus permittingrelative movement, between the bar end 28 and the bar end 26;

However, if thebars, 26.and 28.are moved inwardly, that; is, in. a. directionqto shortenthecrosssbar assembly, the frictional grip between the clamp and thebar 28 will be increased, thereby locking against such movement. Therefore, in order to move these cross-bars 26 and 28 inwardly, the clamp 44 is straightened against the force of the spring 48 as illustrated in Fig. 5 to allow free movement therethrough of the bar 28.

The clamping device 30 in Fig. 1 is so arranged that the frame members 10 and 12 may be spaced farther apart merely by pulling the end portions 26 and 28 apart. However, these frame members cannot be forced 3 closer together because of the frictional gripping action of the clamp 44. Thus, in order to move the frame members it! and 12 more closely together, the clamp 44 must be manipulated as illustrated in Fig. 5.

The significance of this particular locking arrangement will be explained in more detail hereafter.

Suitable mounting brackets 50 provide means for mounting the cornice framework in position above a window frame or the like. Each bracket 56 is composed of a plate 52 provided with suitably apertnred mounting flanges 54 and 56, the forward end of the plate 52 being bent into the shape of a channel 58 for receiving the end portion 22 of the upper frame member 16. An abutment or ear 60 is bent inwardly from the plate 52 as shown for receiving the bar end 26 between this car 60 and the two mounting flanges 54, 56. It is obvious that the cornice framework 10, 12 may be easily detachably mounted on the brackets 50.

The framework thus far described is intended to support a fabric cornice panel 62 as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3. This panel 62 may be composed of any fabric or flexible material, which is folded back upon itself to provide a closed loop in cross-section, as illustrated in Fig. 3. If desired, a fringe or valance 64 may be sewn or suitably fastened along the lower edge of the panel 62 for decorative purposes, as shown.

In considering the operation, let it first be assumed that the panel 62 has not yet been assembled on the framework 10, 12 of Fig. 1. In mounting the panel 62 onto the framework It), 12, the locking devices 30 and 34 are manipulated as illustrated in Fig. for collapsing the frame members and 12. The panel 62 is thereupon slipped over the framework, as illustrated in Fig. 3. As the last and final step, the frame members 10 and 12 are pulled apart transversely until the panel 62 is made taut. This taut condition will be maintained because the frame members It! and 12 are prevented from moving closer together by reason of the locking devices and 34, so that the resulting assembly has the appearance of a rigid cornice which is fabricated from boards or the like.

7 When it is desired to launder or clean the cornice panel 62, the locking devices 30 and 34 are manipulated as in Fig. 5 for collapsing the frame members 10 and 12. The panel 62 is thereupon merely slipped ed the framework. Assuming that the cleaning operation shrinks the size of the panel 62 in transverse dimension, it will be seen that the frame members 10 and 12 may be readily adjusted to accommodate this shrinkage. Thus the size of the panel 62 in transverse dimension is not critical in order to achieve a finished cornice assembly which resembles a costly cornice constructed of boards or wood panels.

The fabric panel 62 may be gathered, pleated, or straight, as desired, the only requirement being that the fabric panel provide a loop, in other words, an opening at opposite ends, as illustrated in Fig. 3, which may be tightened in width by spreading the frame members 16 and 12 apart.

Another object in designing this cornice is that it allows numerous different ways of styling the valance, such as a quilted valance, gathered valance, pleated valance,

or just a straight and plain valance. A decorator who understands this type of work can make very elaborate valances. This cornice otters tremendous possibilities for valance styling.

What is claimed is:

l. A cornice support comprising two elongated parallel extending and spaced apart frame members, the opposite end portions of said frame members being bent rearwardly, two cross-members one interconnecting each end of said frame members for providing an integrated assembly, each cross-member comprising two bars which are relatively movable, an automatic lock securing said bars against collapsing movement, said lock comprising a friction element which is carried by one bar and which slidably engages the other bar, said friction element being inclined with respect to said other bar whereby said other bar will be frictionally gripped against movement in one direction but will be released for movement in the other direction, said one direction corresponding to moving said frame members together and said other direction corresponding to moving said frame members apart, and two brackets removably engaging one of said frame members, each bracket comprising a plate having a mounting flange, a channel on said plate receiving said one frame member, and an outwardly extending car on said plate engaging the respective bat for securing said one frame member in place, the other frame member and its respective bars being separable from said one frame member while the latter is supported on said brackets.

2. A cornice support comprising two elongated parallel extending and spaced apart frame members, the opposite end portions of said frame members being bent rearwardly, two cross-members, one interconnecting each end of said frame members for providing an integrated assembly, each cross-member comprising two bars which are relatively movable, an automatic lock securing said bars against collapsing movement, said lock comprising a bracket having opposite end pieces which slidably receive one bar therethrough, the other bar being afiixed to said bracket, a friction element pivotally mounted on said bracket and having an opening which receives said one bar, a spring biasing said friction element in one direction, said friction element frictionally gripping said bar against movement in said one direction but permitting movement in the other direction, said one direction corresponding to moving said frame members together and said other direction corresponding to moving said frame members apart, and two brackets removably engaging one of said frame members, each bracket comprising a plate having a mounting flange, a channel on said plate receiving said one frame member, and an outwardly extending car on said plate engaging the respective bar for securing said one frame member in place, the other frame member and its respective bars being separable from said one frame member while the latter is supported on said brackets.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,153,552 Hunkin Sept. 14, 1915 2,227,397 Lucker Dec. 31, 1940 2,513,628 Eaglin July 4, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS 260,814 Germany June 10, 1913 203,786 Great Britain Sept. 14, 1923 

